Karnataka Students 'Forced' To Remove Sacred Thread Before Entrance Exam; Minister Vows Action
A controversy has erupted in Karnataka after reports emerged that two Brahmin students appearing for the Common Entrance Test (CET) were allegedly asked to remove their sacred thread (Janivara) and religious wrist bands before entering exam halls. The incident, which reportedly took place in Shivamogga and Bidar districts on Thursday, has sparked backlash from community groups and prompted swift response from state minister.
Videos and complaints shared by parents and community organisations brought the incident to light on Friday, leading to an outcry from Hindu groups, who described the act as insensitive and discriminatory.
Karnataka Minister Promises Action
Reacting to the development, Karnataka's Higher Education Minister Dr MC Sudhakar called the alleged directive “unacceptable” and promised a detailed inquiry. “It is an excessive act. If this happened at any examination centre, we will take it seriously. We must respect the practices of all castes and religions. I do not support such actions. I will obtain a report from the officials concerned and consider appropriate steps moving forward. If the incident is verified, we will reassess the situation. This is not about politicising the matter or gaining political mileage. We have no intention of hurting the sentiments of any community,” Minister Sudhakar added, as per a report on PTI.
Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, whose home district is Shivamogga, also weighed in. "There is no legal provision that permits such actions. Although this matter doesn’t fall directly under my ministry, I will discuss it with the concerned department. As the incident took place in my home district of Shivamogga, I will direct officials to initiate action,” he said.
Hindu Organisations Condemn Incident
Community organisations, including the Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Maha Sabha and Vishwa Sanghatane, condemned the alleged action and demanded accountability. They stated that such treatment of students under the guise of exam security protocols was deeply disrespectful to religious beliefs.
On Thursday, members of the Bhramina Sanghagala Okkuta in Shivamogga submitted a complaint to Deputy Commissioner Gurudatta Hegade about the issue, as reported by The Hindu.
The incident comes in the wake of recent debates around religious expression in educational institutions in Karnataka. The previous BJP-led government had banned students from wearing hijabs inside classrooms, a move that was upheld by the Karnataka High Court and remains under review by the Supreme Court.
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